Red blood cell phenotypes in alpha-thalassemias in the Spanish population
Villegas, A.; Porres, A.; Sánchez, J.; González, F.A.; Pérez-Clausell, C.; Martínez, M.; Murga, M.J.; Cachá, J.; Lozano, M.; Fernández-Fuertes, I.; Del Arco, A.; Arrizabalaga, B.; Pérez de Mendiguren, B.; San Juan, I.; Saavedra, R.; Ricart, P.; Sainz, C.; Guerra, J.L.; Muñoz, J.A.; Lago, C.; Ansó, V.M.
Haematologica 83(2): 99-103
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0390-6078 PMID: 9580456 Document Number: 496672
Background and Objective. alpha-thalassemia is very common on all thalassemic geographical regions. The present work aimed at analyzing the relationship between the degree of microcytosis and hematological parameters and the type of alpha-thalassemic mutation. Design and Methods. Five hundred and thirty-six subjects with 4 kinds of alpha-thalassemia were examined using established techniques that determined all hematological parameters, and globin synthesis and molecular biological techniques to study the DNA of globin genes by Southern blotting. Results. Adult carriers of alpha+-thalassemia (-alpha/alphaalpha) present very few hematological alterations. In a statistical comparison with normal individuals (alphaalpha/alphaalpha), significant differences were found between the hemocytometric data and the MCV and MCH of heterozygous alpha+ thalassemia and the heterozygous alphadegree or homozygous alpha+ genotype. Hb H disease was detected in 15 patients, presenting a severe degree of anemia, a significant increase In RDW and globin chain synthesis with an alpha/beta ratio of 0.5+-0.1. Interpretation and Conclusions. These data provide reference values for geographical areas where a, thalassemia is common. These hematocytometric data, together with hemoglobin analysis, could be useful as a future reference data for new patients diagnosed with alpha-thalassemia.